Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids in 2022 Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Healthy Living
What Are Over-the-Counter OTC Hearing Aids
Want to learn more about over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids? Read our overview for more information on whether you can buy hearing aids without a prescription, when the FDA might approve them, and the potential benefits.Facebook TwitterPinterestCopy LinkBy Courtney Schmidt, PharmD and Chrissy HolmMedically Reviewed by Brad IngraoReviewed: August 29, 2022This content is researched and written independently of the views or opinions of Everyday Health's editorial team. Everyday Health may earn a commission from purchases of featured products in this article. Key Takeaways
Intended for people over the age of 18 with mild to moderate hearing lossDon’t require a hearing exam or prescription for purchaseRegulated by the FDA as a separate category from prescription hearing aidsAvailable in stores and online by mid-OctoberWhat are hearing aids? When will they be available? Do I need to visit an audiologist or hearing center to buy OTC hearing aids? What is the difference between OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids? We’ll explore these common questions to help you on your search for the best hearing aids. What Are OTC Hearing Aids
OTC hearing aids are a new category of hearing aid designed to allow adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to purchase a device without consulting a hearing professional or audiologist. Although this option isn’t available yet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in August 2022 that OTC hearing aids will be available by mid-October 2022. In 2017, Congress passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, requiring the FDA to develop regulations specific to OTC hearing aids. In August 2022, those regulations were published in the FDA’s final rule on OTC hearing aids. The FDA states that the aim of its new OTC hearing aid regulations is to “promote the hearing health of Americans by lowering barriers to access and fostering innovation in hearing aid technology.” According to the American Academy of Audiology, there are four primary issues that indicate the need for Americans to be able to buy hearing aids over the counter:Some people are unable to afford the current cost of hearing aids.Many insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover hearing aids.Note that many Medicare Advantage programs do offer some hearing aid benefits.Some geographic locations have limited access to hearing care professionals.Consumers want to save time and money and have more control over their purchasing decisions. The new FDA regulations governing OTC hearing aids ensure that OTC hearing aids will be safe and effective. In addition to specifying maximum volume levels, insertion depth, and labeling requirements, the regulations describe the requirements for buying hearing aids without a prescription via mail, in person, and online. OTC hearing aids will use the same scientific technology as existing hearing aids, while offering users more purchasing options and potentially lower prices. They’re different than prescription hearing aids, however, which may require a visit to an audiologist or hearing center every time you need an adjustment. Some prescription and OTC hearing aids offer remote adjustments, which is a convenient option for many people. That said, a visit to an audiologist or hearing professional can be beneficial for certain people, because those experts can diagnose underlying medical conditions that may be causing your hearing loss. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends seeing an audiologist for a hearing test before buying hearing aids, since audiologists can rule out causes of hearing loss not treated by hearing aids, such as too much wax in your ears. Do I Need to Visit an Audiologist or Hearing Center to Buy Hearing Aids
To purchase prescription hearing aids, you need to work with an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. By mid-October 2022, you’ll be able to purchase OTC hearing aids from companies that do not require an audiologist or hearing center visit. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that his new category of hearing aids is intended for adults over the age of 18 who have mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aid companies, such as Eargo, Lively, and Audicus, offer hearing aids that typically cost less than traditional prescription hearing aids like those from ReSound and Oticon. What Are the Benefits of OTC Hearing Aids
Here are a few of the reasons that some customers may choose OTC or direct-to-consumer hearing aids. Lower Costs
Our reviews team collected survey responses from 600-plus hearing aid users, and more than 17 percent of those respondents reported that price was the most important factor when making a hearing aid purchase. With direct-to-consumer hearing aids, you can typically purchase devices that cost less than similar options from prescription brands. For example, Oticon hearing aids typically range from $1,099 and $3,500 per device, while direct-to-consumer Audicus hearing aids range from $499 to $1,399 per device. OTC hearing aids will add even more cost-effective alternatives to the market. Convenience and Ease
Several OTC companies offer an online hearing test or the ability to use the results of a previous in-person hearing test performed by an audiologist. Online ordering also makes it more convenient and easier to buy hearing aids, since customers no longer have to go through a hearing center or doctor’s office. These products can be shipped to you directly, and most brands provide support and training through a virtual consultation (or over the phone). It’s important to note that the services offered by OTC companies can vary in terms of quality and access. Although online hearing aids can be significantly less expensive than traditional ones, they may not include the same benefits that you’d get from an in-person hearing care provider. Also, OTC hearing aid brands are not a good choice for those with severe or profound hearing loss. Are OTC Hearing Aids the Same as Hearing Amplifiers
Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), also known as hearing amplifiers, can amplify sound in situations or environments where someone without hearing loss may need to hear things more loudly, such as bird-watching or hunting. PSAPs are not intended to improve hearing in everyday situations or to help those with hearing loss — but OTC hearing aids are designed specifically for that purpose. In other words, amplifiers increase the volume of sound, while hearing aids improve the quality and volume of sound based on a person’s specific type and degree of hearing loss.PSAPsOTC Hearing AidsPrescription Hearing AidsDegree of Hearing LossNot designed for hearing lossMild to moderateMild to profoundEvaluation and Fitting by a Licensed Hearing ProfessionalNoNoYesRegulated by the FDANoYesYes When Will OTC Hearing Aids Be Available
OTC hearing aids will be available for purchase online and in stores by mid-October 2022. In 2017, when lawmakers passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, they tasked the FDA with developing regulations for OTC hearing aids by August 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA failed to meet that deadline. With the passage of the FDA’s final rule in August 2022, however, OTC hearing aid regulations were finalized. Companies whose OTC hearing aids meet the new FDA standards can begin marketing them directly to consumers, as soon as the required labeling changes are made. Are OTC Hearing Aids Right for Me
Choosing the right hearing aid to meets your needs can be challenging. You must consider a number of factors as you decide between hearing aid styles — such as whether you want Bluetooth hearing aids and the convenience of rechargeable batteries, and whether you should buy them online from an OTC manufacturer or from a retailer such as Costco. And keep in mind that while OTC hearing aids may be a good option for some people, they aren’t meant to cover all types of hearing loss. According to Trisha Muth, AuD, doctor of audiology at Bay Area Audiology in Bel Air, Maryland, OTC hearing aids “can be a good stepping-stone before obtaining prescription hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.” While they may not offer some of the more advanced features that treat severe or profound hearing loss, OTC hearing aids will be easier to obtain and much less expensive. You can currently purchase hearing aids online or through a professional hearing specialist — and soon you’ll be able to buy them over the counter as well. Visiting an audiologist or hearing care professional in person can be a good place to start for any type of hearing loss. Many online hearing aid brands also offer online hearing tests and virtual consultations with an audiologist to help you make an informed decision about your purchase. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Hearing Aids Survey. 600 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched March 4, 2022.Interview with Dr. Trisha Muth. Bay Area Audiology in Bel Air, Maryland. February 10, 2022.FDA Finalizes Historic Rule Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Millions of Americans. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 16, 2022.Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017. Library of Congress. March 21, 2017.Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. Federal Register. August 17, 2022.Accessibility and Affordability of Hearing Care for Adult Consumers. The American Academy of Audiology. January 26, 2017.Buying Hearing Aids on Your Own. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. October 22, 2021.Blazer DG, Domnitz S, Liverman CT. Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016.Status on Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 19, 2021.Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products: What to Know. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 19, 2021.Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The White House. July 9, 2021.Show Less